One year ago Moss Marina owner Ben Freeland saw the writing on the wall and pulled The Arches redevelopment project before it could be rejected. He went back to the drawing board, hired The Neighborhood Company, knocked off 140 rooms, and got one of two approvals he needs to proceed.
On Tuesday the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency unanimously approved The Arches, a complete makeover of the 5 acres of property the Freeland family has owned for decades as a marina with big boat barn buildings. During his lengthy presentation, Neighborhood Company Partner Patrick Vanasse said, “This project will revitalize our downtown. This will signal to everyone that Fort Myers Beach is back and thriving.”
The 10 parcels of property is adjacent to Snug Harbor restaurant. In 2024 this same LPA voted to deny the project because Freeland was only asking for a Future Land Use Map Amendment and believed the project was just too big. They wanted to see the entire package presented and that’s what they saw this week.
The original Arches redevelopment of the Moss Marina property included 3 resort structures totalling 400 rooms, a marina, restaurants and other retail. The downsized project still includes 3 buildings but now totals 263 rooms. The buildings are 5,6, and 7 stories high between 58 and 81 feet high. Fort Myers Beach is only at 50% of its pre-Ian hotel room total. If the town expects to get anywhere near where they were before the hurricane it will all have to come from new builds.
There is also 15,000 square feet of commercial space and 336 parking spaces, 96 that will be available to the public. The marina use will remain, and they will be adding a ship’s store and boaters’ lounge along the public promenade. The promenade will have restaurants and live entertainment located close to the water. The plan has a marina with approximately 75 slips.
Boaters will also be able to dock for the day and there will be slips for kayaks and paddleboards. On Old San Carlos, heading down 3rd street, there will be a bodega, restaurant, grocery store and open air market. The majority of the property will be open to the public.
If built, the resort is projecting to generate over 225 new jobs with $12 million in salaries and generate $2 million per year in ad valorem taxes for the town, fire department and library.
Several residents from the surrounding neighborhoods spoke up in opposition to the project. Moss Marina is adjacent to two nearby neighborhoods. They are worried about an increase in noise and people looking down at them in their homes and pools. The LPA did ask Freeland for concessions on music and outdoor bars on the sides of the structures facing the neighborhood. He agreed to all of them.
The project now goes to the Town Council for two public hearings: May 5th and June 1st. If the Town Council approves the project can proceed.
Local journalism is hard work. If you appreciate the most in-depth reporting on Fort Myers Beach, please support what we do HERE by Venmo, Zell or PayPal. Thank you.
Personally, I’m gonna miss Big Blue, but out of all the recent renditions of this and other developments, this one looks more fitting to FMB than any of the others, just needs a fuel dock…
The one problem the town council refuses to address is traffic. Each one of these new developments will add to it. Traffic during season is already at a standstill. Someone needs to look seriously at tolls on the bridge and a parking tower where the parking lot is at the base of the bridge off island (with constant free shuttle to the beach and back).
Tolls?? Hahaha.
Do you not remember the outcry last August when a council member simply suggested looking into it? More to the point, the LeeCo Attorney sent a letter explaining why tolls cannot be added to either bridge.
Traffic is not a permissible basis to deny a project. And FMB owns neither of the bridges nor Estero Blvd.
It’s an island and a tourist destination: in season there will always be traffic. That’s hardly unique to FMB.
Another eyesore blocking the view of the Gulf of America coming over the bridge,
Matanza pass bridge is 65 feet tall. And the Edison and the pink shell are both already “blocking your view”. Although you could have easily bought any property and put nothing on it to preserve the view. I don’t see many people sitting on the bridge all day admiring the view. Usually most actually go to the beach and enjoy it up close. Grab a towel and some sunblock and enjoy FMB and its people, not a building. You locals and employees are the reason people enjoy the island. Not the buildings. Nobody comes to FmB because a building made them feel good. The people are what make visitors and locals want to be here.
Great comment, Jason.
Can’t wait! And dock space. !!
Karen is pro-beach. We need more people like her and not nay-sayers. GO KAREN !!!!!
She is pro development and anti-resident. She should go back to Minnesota.
Build this, but don’t build that…. Please. At this rate the beach will flood a dozen more times before it returns to full capacity for visitors. Tell me again how retired people from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan etc. know what’s best for a barrier island in South Florida. Everyone’s an expert on FMB when it comes to building, codes, climate, economics, business, insurance but no one can figure out how to create and execute a master plan for success. Maybe one of the next 4 city managers can figure it out.
This will be the defining moment for TCM Karen Woodson, the champion of beach ethics, and whether she is for complete revitalization and rebuilding of the island or just anywhere but her neighborhood.
I hate to disappoint you, but Karen loves this project and hopes it gets approved. A great asset to the Woodson’s home
How do you know? Mrs. ethics is supposed to have an open mind, must not have made any decision prior to the public hearing, and cannot make any decision public until then.